Doorkeeper



June 2 7, 1950 H- WEISSINGER DOORKEEPER Filed oct. 9, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 55 la7/O /59 45 all 555 LA??? 5 4Z: i 4 -a 4i nll' mail .-2-

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June 27, 1950 H. wElsslNG-E 2,513,069

DOORKEEPER Filed Oct. 9, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 p7@ j 62 56.9. Q

Patented June 27, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to door latches and more particularly to that variety of latch in which the door is held in a closed position under pressure.

The present application is a parent case from which the subject matter of my co-pending application Serial No. 48,589, filed September 10, 1948 has been divided.

Latches for refrigerators and cooling compartments should retain the refrigerator door closed in order to provide a tight seal with the door frame. Furthermore, it is highly desirable in an installation of this kind that the latching device be constructed so that a predetermined pressure is applied to the door automatically upon closing. Desirable features of such a latch are that it be cheap and rugged in construction, protected from the entrance of dirt or other objects Which would tend to interfere with the proper operation of the latch, and that it be provided with means for adjusting the pressure with which the door is held closed.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a latch construction in which the customary bifurcated latch finger element has a cam-like portion resiliently controlled by a spring-loaded lever to cause a toggle or dead center snap action ofthe latch finger.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring-loaded latch having an enclosed case and a rugged torque spring for actuating the latch finger.

A further object is to provide means for adjusting the pressure exerted -by the spring on the door through the latch finger.

A still further object of the invention isvto provide an emergency release for a refrigerator latch whereby the latch may be opened from within the refrigerator even if locked from the outside.

A still further object is to provide a double pivoted latch construction in which the main latch pivot is releasable from one side and a secondary pivot mounted in the rst pivot is releasable with respect to the first pivot from the opposite side.

Further objects will be apparent from vthe specification and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view, partially sectioned of a toggle-cam latch constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the latch finger in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the latch in open position.;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the structure of Fig. 1 partly broken away;

Fig.- 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 0f Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 isa perspective of the spacerblock;

Claims. (Cl. 292-92) Fig. A'i is a perspective of the bifurcated latch member; Fig. 8 is a perspective of a refrigerator door showing a modified form of latch;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail of the latch of... Fig. 8 in released position;

Fig. 10 is a perspective of the stationary latch member of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a perspective of the latch base of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a section taken along the line |2|2 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective detail of the release handle sleeve; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective of the pressure pin in the release handle.

The invention comprises essentially a latch assembly having a pivoting bifurcated member..

adapted to progressively engage first the inside,

then the outside of ay door when closing, and to,

retain the door in a closed position under pressure of a torque springwhich operates ori the bifurcated member througha lever mounted in the latch body. A screw. cooperating with a worm-wheel enables the spring pressure to be adjusted from zero to more thanv p. s. i.

The invention also includes a modied form ofV4 latch designed especially for use on large refrigerators of the type installed in butcher shops'and packing houses having an emergency handle actuated from within the refrigerator. This handle releases the latch assembly even though the latch member may be locked and thereby pre` vents anyone from being inadvertently locked in the refrigerator. y

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a' preferred embodiment of my latch construction has a bifurcated latch member 20 pivotally mounted in latch case 2l by means of pin 22 and nuts 23, 23. Latch member 20 has a long pressure nger 24 adapted to contact a strike 25 on door 25 when in the closed position as shown in Fig. l. A short finger 26 on the latch member 20, is positioned to be engaged by the inside edge of strike 25 when the door is closed to the position shown in Fig. 2. Further closing of the door pivots member 20 about pin 22 until the door isv fully closed as shown in Fig. 1.

The hub 21 of member 20 abuts and extends the entire distance between top 28 and bottom 29 of latch case`2l but is undercut at 30, as shown `in Fig. 7, to provide an axial at or step portion.v A small roller 3l, is mounted on flat 39 by means of pin 32 and is adapted to contact lever arm 33 throughout the entire swing of arm 20 which, in the preferred form is about 50.

Lever arm 33 is likewise pivotally mountedy in the top and bottom of case 2l by means of stud 34 and nuts 35, 35 and is provided with a hub 36 (Fig. 5) which abutsthe hub 31 of worm-wheel 31 likewise mounted on stud 34. The hub 36 of lever arm 33, as well as the hub 31 of wheel 31 `form an annular retaining recess for torque 3). Rotation of wheel 31 on stud 34 is controlledV j by means of adjusting screw 4l (Fig. 4) which,

when turned, serves to increase or decrease th'e tension of spring 38 on lever arm 33 sincespring 38 provides the only connection between the arm and the wheel.

The top of case 2l as well as the bottom. thereof are formed from a single piece of sheet metal which is of lU-shaped configuration as shown in Fig. 5. The front 4:2 of the latch case however,`

cut away to provide clearance for iinplates 28 and 29 is partially ger 24 as shown in Fig. 2 and extend. forwardly at 43' and Ml (Fig- 3) to provide locking ears having arcuate. slots 45 which are in. alignmentI with a hole 46 drilled in hub 21 of latch 2B. When the latch is in closed. position, as shown in Fig. 1, a standard bicycle lock 59' (Fig.

8)` maybe inserted through slots 45 and hole @6.

.'Ifhe bases of plates 28 and 29 are bent', first at 90` and then at 180 as shown in Fig. 5 to form upper and lower bolting flanges and 52101" the" latch assembly. A butt joint 53 is thereby Iprovided centrally along `the inside base ofv the' case and the edges of the joint are riveted to spacer blo-ck 54 by means of rivets 55. 55. Spacer block 54 is longitudinally drilled to forni a guide for adjusting screw 4I' as shown in Fig.. 6 and is 4cut away at 5E to permit meshing of the adjusting screwA 4l with the worm wheel 31. Block 54 is also cut away at 51 (Fig. (i) to provide clearance for rotationof arm 33.

In operation, strike 25 on door 25 contacts finger 26 of. arm Zwhen the door is closed, thus causing the latch 20 to rotate on pin 22. This. in turn displaces lever 33 upwardly as seen in Fig.l 2, by means of roller 3l and tends to wind spring 3d around. the hub 36 of the lever and the hub 31 of vthewheel 31. When roller 3l passes dead center, the pressure of. spring,V 38 immediately is transferred to the inner face of nger 24 which thereupon contactsY the opposite side of strike 25 to urge the door to a fully closed position under the predetermined pressure of spring38. When the door is opened, the reverse operation takes :place and is such that when roller 3l again passes dead center, finger 23 pushes thev door open, but inth-.is ease the limit of finger travel isreached when the lever 33 contacts face 59 of hub 21, thus retaining the arm in the proper position for' receiving the door when it ifs-closed, as shown in Fig; 2.v Y f n The latch assembly is dirt and dust tight since the end 60 of spacer block -54 substantially lls the gap between hub 21 of latch member 29 and the base of the latch case, whereas cover plate 6I, secured underv nuts 35, encloses the opposite end-of the latch case. v

It will be apparent lthat the latch described above is not only adapted for refrigerator doors, but may be utilized to advantage `on any installation where it is desired to insure a close pressure tit such as screen doors, hatches, and the like. Where there is danger that an individual may be locked inside the door, for example in large cool'- ingr rooms or refrigerator closets, a modified form f lock may be' employed.

.- eferring now to Figs. .8-14, a refrigerator door 62 provided with two latch assemblies accordance with the` construction of Figs; 1-7; rl'iow'- 'form a rectangular slot Sli having oppositely facing arcuate indentations 61. A U-shaped channel member 3B is adapted to enclose base mein-ber 63 is hinged with respect thereto by means of pins G9, 69 adapted to fit in drilled holes 10, 19 i-'n the webs 1l of member 68. Channel 68 is provided witha keyhole-like aperture 12 in alignment with the center of counter-bore 65 and having the slot portion 13 of the keyhole radially offsetwith respect to the slot 6E' fora purpose to be described hereinafter. Channel 68 is securely attached' to the refrigerator frame 14 by means of screws 15. The safety release comprises a wooden handle 16 which is clamped to shank or rod 11: by means of bolt 18. Shank 11 is in turn Apinned to sleeve 19 rotatably mounted in frame 14: in axial alignment with the center ofv counterbore 55. I'he end of sleeve 19 is machined" to provi-de' a lug 39' having flat sides 3l, 8| and rounded ends 82292 adapted to pass readily through slot 56 in base member 63. In theprefer'red form, the length of lug 39 between ends B2 is. equal to the diameter of sleeve 19. Lug 89 is separated from the body of the sleeve by means of an annular groovel 33,.' the width of which is equivalent to the combined' thickness of channel member 68 plus the thicknessA of counterbore faces 55', 65. lThe depth of counterbore 65 is equal to or slightly greater than" the thickness of ends 82 of lugs 39 inorder to avoid intereference with the latch case when the handle is turned. It will therefore bean-parent that when lug 89 is inserted through keyhole 'l2 and; slot 66 and turned approximately 90, base mem'- -ber 63 is securely clamped between the lug and member 58 by means of the sides of groove 8B as' shown in Fig.. 12.

Sleeve 1,9 is secured to shank 11 by means of rivets Bt and carries within itsV bore a plunger 85' extending through the opposite end of the. sleeve and urged outwardly by means of spring 83 which abuts the end of shank 11' and the enlarged face 61 on plunger 35. In ordinary use, theebase member 63 is locked to member 99 by means of lug as shown in Fig. 12, and the operation of the latch is exactly the same as that described in connection with Figs. l to 7. However, the latch may be released, as shown in Fig. 9, by turning handle 16 from within the refrigerator. In this case, lug 33 becames aligned with slot t6, thereby permitting base, me. ber 93Y and the entire latch assembly to pivot on pins-99 as shown' in Fig. 9.

If desired, a pair of limit Stops 88 may be provided on counterbore faces G5', 65 to prevent complete rotation of lug 89. Furthermore, the peculiar construction of the latch is such that inadvertent turning of shank 11 due to vibration, especially when the door is opened and closed, as Well as complete retention of the shank inthe door frame, is at all times assured. The spring-loaded' plunger a5 produces sufficient axial pressure between the counterbore faces F55. 65' and the inner side of lug 89, to prevent turning of 4shank11 and handle 15 due to vibration or jolts and when the emergency latch is released, the pressure of spring 8S assists in pivoting the' latch assembly on pins 69, 69; Additional assistance in pivoting the latch assembly acl'ri'evedby spring :itV actuating onk rollerv 3l' and studv 22 since the reaction to the pressure exerted by finger 2li on strike 25 will immediately cause the latch assembly to pivot on pins y69 of flat 3i! on the latch member.

sleeve 19 with respect to slot B6. Likewise, ythe width of the keyhole slot 13 is' slightly greater than Athe Width of lug 80, andthe lengthof the s lot together With the diameter of :the keyholet T2A is slightly ymore than the distance between the surface 89 of groove 83 and an opposite end 82 of lug 80 (Fig. 12) in order to permit biased insertion of lug 8B through keyhole 12 before assembly.

Since sleeve 'i9 is held in axial alignment with the center of counterbore B5 by 'means of a close iitting hole drilled in door frame 14, lit is im-A possible to remove the sleeve or the shank `from the door frame after member 68 has been secured in place, because in order for lug 8l! to be withdrawn from keyhole 12, it is necessary that the sleeve be biased with respect to member 68.

Such biased relationship cannot take place when' the sleeve is assembled in the door frame. After assembly therefore,` it is impossible that the safety release handle be removed accidentally thus preventing escape of anyone trapped withinA the refrigerator. For low temperature service,` handle 16 as well as shank 1l, are preferably made of Wood or other material of 10W heatconductivity so that the handle may be iirmly grasped in the bare hands without danger o f freezing the skin thereto. v

It will thus be apparent that the emergency latch is in effect a dual pivoting lock having a first pivoting latch element locked to the door frame but which can be unlocked only from the inside of the frame, Whereas a second pivoting latch element mounted in the first element may be locked or unlocked with respect to` said first element from the opposite side of the door frame.

I have, therefore, described a toggle latch especially adapted to refrigerator doors which is of extremelyv rugged construction and which provides increased refrigeration eiiiciency due to the higher pressure exerted on the door to keep it closed. In addition, the safety release feature lis an important advantage onall installations where there is danger that an individual might be accidentally locked Within the refrigerator compartment.

I claim:

1. An emergency 'release latch' comprising a latch'assembly, a base member for said latch assembly, a channel member pivotally attached to said base member, a counterbore in .the..,base member, the face of said counterbore having. a s'lot extending diametrically acrossv the counterbore, a keyhole-like aperture in the` channel member adapted to register with the center of the'counterbore, and a rotatable release member extending through the Channel member and detachably secured in the co-unterbore of 'the base member. 2. An emergency release latch comprising a latch assembly, a base for said latch assembly having a counterbore therein, a diametrical slot in said counterbore, a pair of limit stops mounted within the counterbore, a' channel member adapted to be attached to a door frame and rel direction,

counterbore, a rotatable releasing member mounted in the door frame, an elongated lug on the end of said release member, said lug adapted to`releasably extend through the aperture in said channel member and the s-lot in the counterbore and engage said limit stops when rotated in either l and a spring-loaded pin axially mounted in the end of said member.

3. Anemergency releasing latch lfor refrigera` tors' and the like, comprising a latch casing, a bifurcated `finger pivotally mounted in said casing, a lever pivotally mounted in said casing adapted to engage a contact portion on the finger, a spring adapted to urge the lever re-` siliently jagainst the contact portion, means for locking the finger with respect to the case, a base for the case, a plate pivotally lattached to said base and rigidly secured to the refrigerator door frame, a rod mounted in the door frame, and

means on the end of said rod for selectivelyv locking and releasing pivotal movement of the' base with respect to the plate.

4.' An emergency releasing double latch for refrigerator doors and the like comprising a latch f plate rigidly secured to a door frame, a keyholelike vaperture yin said plate, a sleeve rotatably mounted in the door frame in axial alignment with said aperture, an elongated l-ug on said sleeve adapted to be inserted through thetaperture before attachmentvo-f the plate to theA door frame, a handle member attached to said sleeve and extending interiorly of the door frame said handle member being of low heat conductivity, av plunger axially mounted in the opposite end of said sleeve and extending centrally through the lug;v a` spring in the bore of said sleeve abutting the end of the handle member and the plunger, a latch base pivotally attached to said plate, an elongated aperture in said base in registry with the keyhole and of substantially the same shape as the lug, a pair of locking faces radially adja'v cent saidaperture whereby when they latch base is pivoted to abuttheplate the lug on the sleeve may be inserted through the 'aperture in the base and rotated to retain the base tightly against the plate, and a'latch assembly mounted on saidv latch base. t

` 5. An emergency releasing closure device for refrigeratordoors and the like comprising a latch plate rigidly secured` to a door frame, a keyhole-like aperture in said plate, a sleeve rotatably mounted inwthe'door frame in axial align'- ment withv saidv aperture, an elongated lug on said'I sleeve adapted to be inserted through the aperturey before attachment of the plate to the door'frame, a handle member attached to said sleeve and ,extending interiorly of the door frame, said handle member ,being of llow heat conductivity,`a' plunger laxially mounted in the opposite end of Asaidysleeve and extending centrally through thelug,a spring in. the vbore of said sleeve abutting the end of the handle member and theplunger, a latch base pivotally attached to said platean .elongated aperture in said base in registry with the keyhole and of substantially the sameshape asthe lug, al pair of locking faces radially adjacent said aperture whereby .when the latch base-is-pivoted to abut the plate the lug 'on the sleeve may be inserted through the aperture in the base and rotated to retain the base tightly against the plate, a latch assembly mounted on'said latch base comprising a latch casing, a bifurcated linger pivotally mounted in said-casing; a lever pivotally mounted in. Said:

` casing-:adapted to engage. acontact. portionon,

said sleeve.V and extendinginteriorly off the door frame, said handle memberbeing of low heat. conductivity, a plungery axially mounted in the opposite end of said sleevey and extending cen-y trally throughthe lug a spring in the bore of said' sleeve abuttingthe endof the handle mem` ber and. the plunger',V a latch. base pivotallyA attached`r to said plate,v an elongated aperturel insaid base inregistry with thel keyhole and of substantially the same shape` as the lug, ka pairofqlocking faces radially adjacentfsaid aperture whereby whenthe latch base is pivoted to abut the.` plate lthe lug on the sleeveY may be inserted through the aperture in the base andv rotated to retain theba-se tightly against the plate, a latch assembly mounted onsaid latch base comprising alatch case' formedl from a unitary sheet metal stamping having an uppersurface and alower sur-tace a front edge-joining saidl upper and lower surf-aces, a flange extending at right angles: to said upper and' lower surfaces and a bottom formed by av butt' joint of the two ends ofthe stamping, a spacer-block rivetedy tothe case adjacent the butt joint, a bifurcated latch nger rotatably mounted in said upper and lower case surfaces., a 'lever rotatably mounted in said upperandlower case surfacesandadapted tocon. tact -saidnger, a wormv wheel mountedv axially withrrespect'to said lever, a torque spring connectingsaid worm wheeland saidlever', and an` adjusting"screw-supported inthe spacer blockto threadedlyA engage the worm wheel.

'An'emergency releasing closurev device for refrigeratordoorsandv the like comprising a latch plate rigidly secured to a door frameya keyhole-like aperture insaid'plate, a sleeve rotatablymounted-in the door framein axial alignment with saidI aperture', a radially elongatedlug on said sleeve. adaptedto be inserted through thefaperture before 4attachment ofr the plate to the door frame, a handle member .attached-to said .sleeve and extending, interiorlyof the door fra-me, said handle member being oflow Aheat conductivity, a: plunger axially mounted, in the opposite. end. of saidsleeve and` extending cene tral-ly through the lug, a spring in thebore. of

the basaand rotated toretain, the. base tightly againsttheplate, and aiatch. assembly m. ,i.u,r.1'.edx Orr said latch base.

8;. AnV emergency releasing latch. conlprising a, latch; casing, a latch, member mounted in said casing, a lock for the latch memberr adapted, to. retain the latch member immovable with respect, tothe casing, means for releasably mountingthe, latchoasing on a door frame, and, a second, lock operable fromA within. the door frame whereby,v the latch. casing maybe released, from said door; frame.,

9. A duallocking door latch assembly comprise.. ing-a latch, housing pivotally mounted to. a 110.01.-

frame, means for rendering the pivotal mounting.r or thelatch housing inoperative, a latch member pivotallymounted in the latch housing,` andV means. forrendering the pivotal mounting; of, said latch member inoperative with,re sp ect to@ the latch housing.

10. An emergencyreleasing closuredevice. fpr 'refrigerator doors and the like comprising a; latch plate rigidly. securedl to a door frame,y a. keyhole-like aperturein said plate, a sleeve rotatf. ably mounted inthedoor frame in. axial. aligne.. ment with said aperture, an elongated lug, on,l said sleeve adapted to be inserted through the, aperture before attachment of the plate to.. thev door frame, a handle member attached to Said, sleeve and extending interiorlyfof the door frame,A said handle memberbeing; of low heat concluetivity, a. plunger axiallyy mounted in the opporV site end of said sleeve and extending centrally,V through they lug, a spring. in the bore. of said sleeveabutting the end of the handle member and theplunger, a latch` basev -pivotally attached to said plate, an elongated. aperture in said, base in registry with the keyhole and of. substantially. the same shape as the lug, al pair of locking faces radiallyadjacent said aperture whereby when the latch base is` pivoted to abut the plate. the

saiclsleeve abutting the end.' of the handle mernber. and the plunger,. alatch base. pivotally attached to said plate, an, elongated aperture in the base in axial registry with the keyhole in. the plate, but the: keyhole slot. being in. radial nonregistry with the. elongated aperture in. the base tor prevent axialwithdrawal of the sleeve. from the doorv frame, a pair of locking faces radially adjacent said aperture whereby when the. latch base is pivoted to. abut the plate the lug on the 'sleeve4 maybe inserted through the apertureA in lugonthe sleeve may beinserted through they aperturein.y the base and, rotated to retainA the base. tightly,Y against the plate,V a latch assembly mounted. on said latch base comprising a latch casing, a, bifurcated nger pivotally mounted in said. casing, alever pivotally mounted in said casing adapted to engage a contact portion on the-finger, and a,- spring adapted to urge the leveragainst the contact. portion- HARRY WEI-SSINGER..

REEERENES CITED The following references are of record in the le off'this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 133,838 ADoepke Dec. lOll 1872 303,281 Farrar- Qct.,2.8, life I 930,534 Cox Alle. 10., 1.9.0.9 1,500,435 Bowles July 8., 1.9.2.4. 1,543,078 G -loeliler June 23,. 19,25 `2,(3161519 Schmidt Oct. 8,y 1935 2,051,412 Lewis et al. Aug. 18 15236 2,320,298 Phillips May 25,y 19.43 2,415,587 Groeger Feb. 11, 1,94*(y f FOREIGN PATENTSv Number Country Date 375,434 France July 9, 1907 

